How to Use GIFs in Your Marketing to Boost Engagement

Entrepeneur12 Feb 2019 03:30

Image credit: Oleksandr Hruts | Getty Images

To some, the acronym GIF (short for Graphics Interchange Format) might seem like a mysterious online language describing looping clips of funny TV shows and movies or an amusing facial reaction to a comment or post on social media.

But GIFs have come a long way since their invention in 1987; they’ve gone from something mostly teens used on Tumblr to the cultural online staple they are today.

GIFs allow us to express complex messages in a matter of seconds. In fact, according to a survey published in Time, nearly two-thirds of millennials polled said GIFs communicated their thoughts and feelings better than words. And that makes them a powerful strategy for companies that want to connect and engage with their target audience online. So, how can your business get in on the GIF trend to get your message across and boost engagement?

Let’s get animated! Here’s how to use GIFs in your marketing to boost engagement.

Stand out on social media.

When users are scrolling through their social media feeds, a simple photo and text post may not grab their attention, but you can make your marketing stand out by using GIFs.